Bill Tieleman is one of BC's best known communicators, political commentators and strategists.
Bill is a political panelist regularly on CBC Radio and TV in BC and with other media.
Bill has been Communications Director in the B.C. Premier's Office and at the BC Federation of Labour.
Bill owns West Star Communications, a consulting firm providing strategy and communication services for labour, business, non-profits and government.

Monday, December 06, 2010

BREAKING NEWS: BC NDP leader Carole James has resigned

BC NDP leader Carole James has resigned.At a news conference going on right now James has tendered her resignation pending appointment of an interim NDP leader.More as it becomes available.

* * * * *I am doing a lot of media and writing my column for 24 hours and The Tyee for Tuesday - my views will be here later today.

Congratulations, Tielman. You and your playmates have your pound of flesh, guaranteeing at least 6 more years of the Liberals. I say that because hell will freeze over before I vote for a party that stabs its leader in the back.

"Congratulations, Tielman. You and your playmates have your pound of flesh, guaranteeing at least 6 more years of the Liberals. I say that because hell will freeze over before I vote for a party that stabs its leader in the back."

Oh grow up please PST, TielEman had no part in it, he's just the messenger. James brought this on herself, and if she had not been so egotistical she would have stood down months ago and the NDP would now be soaring 30 points clear in the polls.

If the NDP had a clear and strong set of policies, stood by them and communicated them effectively to the electorate, the Lieberals could be decimated in the way the NDP was in 2001.

Two seats are too much for a group that has damaged BC in much the same way Thatcher devastated the social fabric of the UK.

I see that James claimed in stepping down that she was bullied into it. This would have been a great time for her to demonstrate real leadership and hold out an olive branch. She didn't take that opportunity.

As an outsider who votes left what did I learn. Well I can confirm that I still have no desire to join a political party. I guess I naively believe they should exist for the voting public, but regardless of team jersey they have entrenched self interested types who forget the public is more important than them and worse they some times forget that the membership is the party. Besides the public who votes left seem to have progressed beyond old political party practices of ...well elitism marginalisation and exclusion come to mind. I think the leaders resignation is good for the public and sad for her supporters...but...The party has a real chance of real renewal now where the on the ground card carrying individuals can chart the course for an NDP victory in British Columbia. Those that may leave the NDP over this seem to me to be saying they are against the public non-member belief that your leader could not win. From reading the blogs containing NDP members comments it seems the NDP went wrong at the last convention when it stymied efforts to confirm the leaders mandate to lead. Exactly the same type of thinking and actions that keeps lefties like me from voting for the other guys /gals. I will continue to fight the sinking feeling that interest and participation in politics is futile but don't know how much longer I can hold on if the public will be continually ignored by political parties and the politicians the parties put forth (on behalf of the public?).

Let's give Carole James credit where credit is due. She was really good at getting the point across that the Liberals are pieces of crap. After a while, it became "Ya ya - we know! How are you going to do things better?" I think the NDP deserves a leader who is going to be very clear in expressing the direction of the party and present a concise plan for change - loudly at that.

Let's give Carole James credit where credit is due. She was really good at getting the point across that the Liberals are pieces of crap. After a while, it became "Ya ya - we know! How are you going to do things better?" I think the NDP deserves a leader who is going to be very clear in expressing the direction of the party and present a concise plan for change - loudly at that.

I don't much like the idea of an NDP government, but I don't like the idea of a Liberal government either. HOWEVER, there's no way I'd vote for an NDP headed by Carole James, because she NEVER managed to let me know what her party might've done differently. Was there a vision? A plan? What was the weirdness with the HST and carbon tax? Taxes pay for public services: why would an NDP government object to that? She might be a nice person, but she's an idiot politically.

Any wagers as to who will be the interim leader, and a person who sure won't be running for leader? Sure hope all the members get a vote at a leadership event sooner than later.Such a vote would unify the party and wouldn't cost that much to hold.I will not be a candidate of course.If nominated I would not run, if elected I would not serve. I guess I'm one of those anarchists David Shreck wrote about today as he was dumping on Jenny and the others in the group that saw a problem and came forward to deal with it.

Time for some real people power...I don`t care who is the leader..why not just change leaders every week the leader can be from Mars for all I care.Power to the People!What is all this stuff about "Leaders"? Really old stuff.Leaders mislead as much as they lead...Every government should be changed..renewed every 4 years Power to the people!

Now it's time to drive out the gang of 13. What they did will be remembered, and ultimately they're not very important and can be replaced. No leadership positions for them, whether the ndp is government or opposition. None of them can be trusted.

There is a lot of emotion being displayed on both sides of this conflict within the NDP, and by those that have a vested interest in the outcome but never would support the NDP in an election.

I believe that the people will embrace a party that perceives a problem and then acts upon it. The Moe Sahota deal should never have been made, and, if Carol knew about it, well, that was just wrong. We will need to clean this mess up and do it right, if we expect to be able to take the high road anytime soon. There are many, within the party, that were unhappy with certain decisions that were made in the last few years, but have kept quiet, hoping things would change for the better. Carol did not fight in an effective manner, for the people of BC. She waffled on the Port Mann bridge and eventually reversed herself in the hope that it would increase her popularity. She didn't effectively fight against the "run of rivers" sellout and many other things that the Liberals have been doing.

I'm sure there are many who will sing the praises of Carol James. The important thing now though, is to come together and select a new leader that will lead the party to a victory over the worn out, retread socred, so called Liberals. The next election is the final chance to save ANYTHING in BC from the corporations. We won't own a damn thing and will be strangled by oppressive taxes and tolls, while we watch our pensions dissolve along with our children's futures. Just look at the US today. We need a change, and not a change without substance like Barack Obama. We need someone that really is an advocate for the people and not in the pocket of foreign corporations. We don't have time for another try at this. This is it. Another 4 years of the current world's direction and any chance of change will be gone. Everything will be owned and controlled by corporations with 999 year leases, so, you know, we can be told it was not sold.

We have to join together and win this one for the people. Giving up or moaning about how we can't possibly win now isn't an option!

Why must this slow motion train wreck continue now that Carole has graciously opened the door to change?

Her supporters should seriously reflect on her legacy at this time. Does she wish to leave a scorched earth in her wake or will her part in history be the revival of a near dead party and the successful hand off to an effective governing regime that goes on to reach her dreams and vision and more?

This is a delicate time and while the emotions inevitably run high lets pause and ensure we do whats best for Carole, the party and ultimately British Columbians.

I thank Carole for all that she has done and this selfless opportunity she has provided the party to continue the good fight and reach the aspirations she made possible.

Its time to carry the party to new levels and turn the page on discontent just like we will our calendars and look forward to a new year, a renewed party and successful future for British Columbians.

Thank you Carole and your loyal supporters for all that you have done and now that your time has come to hand of the torch you can be confident the flame of courage will burn on as we "take back our BC together!

I don't think people are going to forget the thinly disguised hatchet job that Mr. Tieleman has helped front. I don't know why Mrs. James caved. The entire caucus should have worked this out, not just the rebels. Perhaps they did.

All I know is while the caucus mice play the Fiberal fat cats, aided and abetted by a captive press corps are going rightly question the NDP's maturity as a government in waiting. Unfortunately that is a narrative that is going to stick. Meanwhile the department of social justice is going to have languish a lot longer.

What leader is going to want to herd theses backstabbing kitty cats? Is Moe really Rasputin?

You think the way to build the party is to play patty cake now that a group 13 know nothings have destroyed the structure with their petulance.

You're not the only person by a long shot who has worked selflessly for years to try and get decent people elected and bring about a program of good government for the whole province. I find your posts at Ian's place childish and offensive - Carole James has no choice because a proto Maoist gang of mirror gazers were willing to slice and dice the party for their own selfish agenda.

Why would another woman even 'think' about running to lead this gang - you know damn well no one can prove a negative BUT the fact is, the party has never been higher in the general public's esimation till this stupid gunfight at the OK corral started.

You know that - I know that - telling me to kiss and make up now is pretty rich...You and this little gang of internet bullies have a lot of blood on your hands.

You want my support? Get Jenny Kwan to rescind the utterly contemptible statement of 'thanks and appreciation' she just made about Carole James and resign.

I don't want to be too close to any of that gang right now - they make me sick.

if Kwan and Sahota packed it in that would help the party James did the party a lot of good but she is no leader. BC voters have to turf out the most corrupt gov BC has ever had. It will be interesting to see who will be supporting these corrupt Liberals. Those who are upfront with this support I'm sure will inform the public how pleased they are with Campbell's performance. Don't forget BC Hydro will go up 30% in three years under the Liberals Will the Canadian management and the foreign management of Hydro get a bonus for this ripoff. Is the CEO a Canadian and what will his salary be? If your paying 200 bucks every 2months you will now be paying 600 bucks under a corrupt Liberal gov.

Bill Tieleman and Senator Larry Campbell, former Vancouver mayor

Jim Sinclair, Cindy Oliver, Ken Georgetti and Bill Tieleman

Bill Tieleman's coverage of the Basi-Virk/BC Legislature Raid Case praised by other journalists:

"This outstanding piece of journalism, in The Tyee, is the work of a journalist who has been deeply involved with this issue from the start and this article should be passed on as far and wide as possible."

"Bill Tieleman from 24 hours . . . . If you want to know about this trial and about this case, you have to read his blog – I mean, that’s just all there is to it – it’s required reading if you want to understand the BC Legislature Raid situation."

- Mike Smyth, columnist, The Province

"The Basi-Virk case....you’ve probably sat through more of these hearings and gone through more of the files and written about it than any other journalist in the province."

- Bill Good, host, The Bill Good Show, CKNW/Corus Radio Network

"Tieleman ...has done a first-rate job covering the trial."

- Paul Willcocks, columnist, the Victoria Times-Colonist

"Tieleman, who marries a considerable journalistic talent with one of the smartest political minds in the province, has been writing more web-exclusive material. And his coverage of the Basi-Virk trial is a must-read -- whether you're an insider or an outsider."

"24 Hours, the Vancouver paper that has been leading the coverage, as well as the hints of conspiracy in B.C."

- Norman Spector, columnist, Globe and Mail

"Although the major media in this circumstance has been giving the case significant coverage, Tieleman's reports on his blog have been outstanding.

The entire cut and thrust of legal wrangling and arguments has been covered and is accompanied by considered analysis.....His blog site coverage of the Basi-Virk trial is the most in depth treatment of one of British Columbia's biggest political scandals."

- Bill Bell, columnist, The North Shore News

"Mr. Tieleman has published online dispatches which, freed from the limitations of newsprint space or broadcast time, can run at length. They also remain available for those select readers who become obsessed with a case also known as Railgate.....

In another bizarre twist to a story with no shortage of them, Mr. Tieleman went to work one day in December only to discover his office had been ransacked. Bookcases had been tipped over and papers strewn, but nothing was missing.

To top it off, a press kit for the self-published novel The Raid, written by a retired military officer in Metchosin and featuring on its cover a photograph from the 2003 police raid, had been left in a conspicuous place."

- Tom Hawthorn, columnist, The Globe and Mail

Nobody has followed the Basi-Virk affair over its past five years with greater diligence than local journalist, Bill Tieleman....Tieleman deserves our thanks, a fistful of journalism awards and some merit citation for citizenship.